Thursday 11 February 2021

Seaside and Lockdown Snippets …

 

Funny old life … in my ‘aged’ wisdom I decided I needed to end the connectivity aspects of my very aged ipad – well and good … wheels put into motion for the 6th

 

Looking east - freezing easterly wind - snow
has gone ... 
… Saturday the 6th – no internet … me: no idea why … one of Hilary’s Law of Unintended Consequences had occurred … the ipad I don’t use … but the connectivity I did!  


Ah well … once I’d worked out on Monday what was going on … I ordered a new sim card – thank goodness for a good postal system …

 

There's two men just about to go into the
water here ... any protuberances left?
Only 5 days without a connected life!  Freezing cold too – we had some snow here … and it’s still freezing – the wind has been positively awful … enough to freeze anyone’s protuberances off!

 

 

This time tomorrow I shall have had my jab
Another funny … a vaccination centre opened at what is known as the Welcome Centre, next to the Congress Theatre … next to the wonderful Towner gallery … as seen here …

 

 

I’ve been waiting for my call – at one stage they asked me by text if I’d like to go to another centre east of the town – that would have entailed a bus ride … but I don’t use texts … so only picked it up over 24 hours later … life in the aged not terribly Hilary techie lane! 

 

The hospital is on the outskirts
not where the jabs are happening

But … the Welcome Centre only opened up last week … so with my details I booked an appointment for tomorrow at 3.00pm.  


Blow me down … if my brother doesn’t mention that he booked his appointment for 3.15 – so we’ll have a brief chat, in the cold, tomorrow – he lives about 9 miles away.  Our second appointments are on May Day … different times though – he kept his 3.15 … I opted for the last slot of the day at 5.00 pm.

  

The Town Hall

Eastbourne, today, was on the main 1.00 pm news, and then on the local news … busy time we’re having.  Our Council budget doesn’t balance … not enough income from tourism … sad, but true … and it was obviously so important – I can’t remember why it hit the local news!!!!  


Cuckmere Haven - iconic Sussex view


Oh I remember ... these cottages are going to be protected against the sea - apparently for 85 years or so ... I suspect 'the 85 years' might be rather long!

 


 

I’ve been reading Bill Bryson’s book … a birthday present … rather interesting – sending me off to look up other things … the brain connecting its dots, or expanding their range.

 



Next comes the WEP story challenge - see badge… and then I’ll revert back to the G7 and tales from the past on Carbis Bay in Cornwall.

 

Now to catch up … stay safe one and all …

 

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

32 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

I am horrified by just how important 'connectivity' has become to me. I am now lost without it. I am glad yours has returned.
Glad that you have appointments for both shots.
I suspect it will be late March at the earliest before I have mine.
And hooray for books which take us down rabbit holes.

Rhodesia said...

Five days with no connection would be a disaster for me. We do not have a connection to the phone in the house so we rely on our WiFi. If I want to use the phone I need to walk around until it decides to work. It is not always even the same place!!

Good luck with the vaccine I had mine on Monday, slightly sore arm on Tuesday but that was all.

Take care and keep safe, Diane

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari Om
I did think it had been a bit quiet on the Hilary front!!! It wasn't quite long enough for me to think you'd gone AWOL...but close enough &*P Anyway, glad you are back online. Stay warm, hooroo frae the wee den! YAM xx

Steve said...

Great you are going to have your jab soon. Many people are stepping forward for the vaccine. Eastbourne from the images looks amazing greetings from the northwest.

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello Hilary,

Good to see that you have returned to cyberspace unharmed. It is rather shocking how much we all depend on being 'connected ' these days and somewhat alarming when we get cut off.

We have fond memories of visits to the `Towner `Gallery. Indeed, we saw a particularly impressive Mapplethorpe exhibition there having travelled from Brighton where we lived at the time.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Glad you're back.
Wow, why are your shots so far apart? I know one is three weeks later and one four but that seems like a lot longer.

Liz A. said...

It's not good when the connectivity is lost. Our internet went down today, and I have no idea why. It was working this morning. At least I know how to reset the system, and now all's good.

Joanne said...

very glad you are getting your jab, and a little gab at the same spot. You folks must be blowing that cold wind our way - we are in the 20sF - brrr, and snow predictions for Monday. Deep freeze. Speaking of freeze - it's the end of the world when connectivity lapses. Ray and I are forced to chat - ha!
I do feel bad for tourist towns - believe me - I'm ready to go spread money and cheer - just not germs. You are one step closer to some chance for freedom. Take good care and I hope you have no reaction. Cheers for the weekend.

Hels said...

There have been no Covid deaths in Australia since last October, so everyone assumed the worst was over. This week, however, some infected people got into the country via planes and were properly locked away in ONE quarantine hotel for 14 days. Two days later, 11 people have been infected, travellers AND guards and chefs from that quarantine hotel And now their spouses :( Lockdown starts again tonight.

I wish I lived in those isolated sea side cottages you photographed *sigh*

Jemima Pett said...

Funny, I always though you lived in Cornwall, not Eastbourne. I'm in between, of course :)

I had a text saying I could now book my jab - phone Thursday ONLY on this number ONLY between 10 and 3. Like you, texts get seen when they get seen. So, immediately, at 2.40 I phoned the number... to get a long message which didn't seem to apply, but left a message as told. I shall wait for their next step....

I think a lot of councils are going to be in a bad way, budget wise.

Keep safe, and have a lovely meet with your brother!

Annalisa Crawford said...

So much happens online these days, we take it for granted. Glad it was easy to sort out.

And happy you've got your vaccinations booked - how fortuitous your brother will be there at the same time. Hope you enjoy the natter x

bazza said...

I assume the similarity between the cover of Bill Bryson's book and Cuckmere Haven is deliberate! I heard Eastbourne mentioned on the news the other day - can't remember why!
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s laughingly luminous Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Five days without internet connection? That seems like a truly modern nightmare. We have become so dependent on our devices that we are lost even for a day without them! I am glad that you have your vaccinations lined up, Hilary. It is hopeless here. We do not have a domestic manufacturer of a vaccine, so are dependent on overseas suppliers, and delivery has been painfully slow. Miriam and I have no idea when we might even be on the schedule. The end of March seems about the earliest we can hope for. We will just have to keep on making good dinners and drinking wine! Life is difficult but we will summon all our strength and fortitude and cope with it. Common Redpolls have been patronizing the backyard bird feeders of late and that adds extra joy to each day. Stay well, stay warm, stay safe, drink fizz, cook well, walk often. Hugs from frigid southern Ontario. David

Computer Tutor said...

Me too--I'm a happy member of the first-shot club. Can't wait for my next though it seems I'll still have to wear a mask. Sigh.

Anabel Marsh said...

Yay! You must be vaccinated by now. My mum has had her first shot but we’re still a bit down the line. Can’t wait!

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Being connected is something we take for granted now days

retirementreflections said...

Hi, Hillary - Awesome news about your upcoming vaccine. Mine is still predicted to be 4 - 5 months away (sigh). Thank you for the recommendation on The Road to Little Dribbling. I adore Bill Bryson!

M. Denise C. said...

Glad you will get/have gotten your jab, Hilary! Stay safe!

Lenny Lee said...

I know about the connection crisis. Recently went without my computer for a week. Ugh! Had to get a new hard drive and fix the sound plug in. Now I'm happy to be back to communicating with the world and doing games and crossword puzzles.

I'm so happy you're getting the shot this week. I haven't been able to get an appointment as the vaccine is in low supply and getting an appointment is so difficult. They're grabbed up quickly. Hope I get an appointment soon.

Stay safe and keep warm.

Love and clean hands hugs.

Janie Junebug said...

I don't know what I'd do without connectivity. A lot of reading, I supposed, but I'd sure miss my online friends. Congratulations on your appointment.

Love,
Janie

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ EC – yes … it is very important to so much in our lives … and had my jab yesterday and all well today – no symptoms. I must get down and read more … lots of them here!

@ Diane – well these things can happen and there’s nothing one can do – except just accept and wait for life to come back to internet normality. Your connectivity does sound challenging – but I’m sure the benefits of living in France make it worthwhile! Thankfully no sore arm and easily done …

@ Yam – only for a few days! Nope – not AWOL … it has been mighty freezing down here … but not as bad as your weather in Scotland.

@ Steve – thank you … jabbed well. Eastbourne is a good place to live … hope yours up north is happy too …

@ Jane and Lance – yes all well … just my own ‘stupidity’ … not easy in lockdown … I’d have been down at the shop asking ‘the why’ – but that wasn’t an option. Anyway back on line now thankfully.

Oh excellent - the Towner is 5 minutes away and has some very good exhibitions … and I must do a write-up shortly on things happening. Thank you for enlightening me about Robert Mapplethorpe – I hadn’t come across him … but he’s registered in my mind now! I’ll check out in the Towner ‘library’ to find some works on him – when we’re allowed back in …

@ Alex – yes … I’m glad I’m back too. The time lag … I think was started to allow more vaccinations to be given while stocks were built up. I trust the docs and their research … I need a vaccine – and the second one adds to this first protection … so I’m blessed with the NHS …
This applies to the AstraZeneca vaccine … other vaccines have different parameters … All well and no pain …

@ Liz – it blips off here or has bad connectivity on occasions … but I know what’s going on … I’d try the reset set up – but this time nothing happened – hence the unintended consequence of my own action.

@ Joanne – yup all well with the jab and a good natter with my bro – but certainly not the time for standing around talking … it was freezing! Enjoy having some time chatting with Ray this weekend …!!

I know we just have to wait until we’re all protected as best we can … it’ll take a while before it’s safe to get out and about … but amazing we have a few vaccines already working … despite the mutations … I’ve had no reaction thankfully!

@ Hels – I gather you’ve had another outbreak … it’s challenging – now we’re a global moving world … we’ve other things to consider. Oh yes – many would love to live in the coastguard cottages … lots of passing tourists though … but I must say – it’d be fun … perhaps not recently: rather freezing!

@ Jemima – well I’d love to live in Cornwall … it was our holiday place – my mother’s father’s family came from St Ives … so lots of connections over the years – she ended up living there. My brother came to Sussex for work and when I came back from South Africa – I settled here …

You’ll get a letter for a jab soon … they seem to know what they’re doing … the text thing is I think is there to satisfy the worriers … not easy to work through though … I’ve tried and just given up …

Yes Council budgets aren’t in a happy place – we just need tourism back – when it’s right. It was a freezing meet up with my brother – so brief … but fine …

@ Annalisa – everything and if it’s not online it’s via text … not always helpful! Just waited for my letter and a centre nearer so I could walk – it happened.

@ Bazza – yes the cover looks very deliberate … suits me when I want to post articles about Sussex! The book is fun. Eastbourne popped up again that day, but I’d already posted … we seem to be featuring rather often …

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ David … Well it was worse when I moved a few years ago … waiting for British Telecom was 3 weeks – that was painful … but the library was open and I could use their machines … a good back up sometimes.

We’re lucky with the NHS – it may be a bit chaotic, but the jobs get done … perhaps not so much now with all the other things needing medical attention … and I’m lucky as I’m healthy.

You make life don’t you – that’s what I’m doing being single – so enjoy your life with Miriam and all those delightful avian critters in your yard and the other occupants – squirrels etc … Lucky you seeing the Redpolls … must be wonderful – I still want to learn more about the birds and their evolutionary appearance …

@ Jacqui – oh well done … and we’ll all need to carry on wearing masks for a while – I only put mine on once I go into a shop/business … thankfully I don’t need to go to other places …

@ Anabel – yes one vaccination down … but there’ll be no change for a while, still the vax journey is starting and life will start coming back to life once again … I’ve heard people in their 60s are starting to get letters … the NHS and researchers are brilliant: we’re very lucky …

@ Jo-Anne – I know … I love being able to connect via the internet …

@ Donna – I gather the Canadian situation isn’t easy – sorry about that. Stay safe – lots of fresh air around you … and Bill Bryson is a fun book to read – I need to go back through it for a review I’m going to write.

@ Denise – I’m just glad one jab is done and dusted … it’ll be great when the world has had all its jabs …

@ Lenny – great to see your comment … of course I hadn’t realised you were off line … I too hope you can get your jab sorted soon and that the medics help you along that process. Now I’m hoping to get warm … the weather’s improved … and washing my paws very often …

@ Janie – we all just adjust don’t we – no choice … and I’m glad I’ve had my first jab …

Stay safe all of you and thanks for visiting … thank goodness it’s warming up – it’s been really chilly – Happy Valentine’s Day … Hilary

Keith's Ramblings said...

I've been computerless for a couple of days as I've been modernising my study - I felt really cut off from the outside world! I had my jab locally, in and out in 5 minutes! Apparently, those cottages are one of the most photographed sights in the UK. Long may they cling on! Nice catch-up Hilary!

Jz said...

This is where I jump up and down and squeal, "Oooh! I've been there! I've been there! Exactly there!"
Except it was overcast when I went, so, nice to see the cottages in sun.
(And, to share the comment I was going to leave before I saw the cottages - One of my former beaux described the effect of having to wade into a British sea in winter as having his protuberances join his tonsils.)

Liza said...

Pictures are simply lovely. So glad you got your first shot. I am working the vaccine clinic in my hometown, so I got one, too. I get my next one in a month. Working the clinic has been wonderful. Everyone is just delighted to get their shots. I schedule them for their second dose and they leave feeling so relieved.

mail4rosey said...

Glad you got your world connection working again. :) Seems like we've never lived without internet, doesn't it? Something feels amiss if it's gone. It's not so cold here, but I've heard it's really cold in some parts of the country! I don't miss cold weather, not one iota!

Fil said...

It's desperate how dependent we all are on being hooked now isn't it - I think I might last a day but I think my other half would be going spare after half an hour lol. But has't been just wonderful what technology has done for us over the past 11 months - what would we have done without it.
I hope your jab went ok - FairPlay to the powers that be, getting it rolled out so quickly.

Sandra Cox said...

Glad you and the bro are getting your vaccine!
5 days without connectivity. Ack.
Take special care.

Friko said...

I know all about the ageing brain not being very tech-savvy. My iPad is on its last legs too, permanently in need of charging. I don’t know if I can afford to replace it.

I had my first jab too but now have to wait until April for the second. It’s different all over the country. Maybe we can have a real connected life again soon? Mind you, I am still saying as safe as I can.

We’ve had freezing weather, snow and ice too. But hurrah, it’s getting warmer.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Keith – oh well done on modernising and making your life easier – I coped … just would like to have achieved more when I wasn’t connected! I can believe the Coastguard Cottages are one of the most photographed sights … it is beautiful there …

@ Jz – yay, oh sorry about the weather … it’s life here … hope you can come again sometime.
Love your protuberances thought … totally amused me!

@ Liza – thank you – it’s a lovely area. Well done on working in your clinic: that second date certainly is a relief to have – I’d have liked to have been out there helping out … later on – once we get back to life again …

@ Rosey – yes I was glad to be back on line again … I know I’ve been online for over 20 years – seems really strange to think about … and was working on spreadsheets etc back in the late 80s.
I gather an Arctic outburst has occurred over the USA – just glad ours is easing now – but I feel for those really freezing in Texas and surrounds …

@ Fil – I know – it seems crazy to be without internet and one is so lost – particularly at the moment as we can’t get access via the Library – which I used to use in emergency (needy) times …
Jab all fine thank you … I’ve been impressed with the ‘flu jab at the surgery last year, and then now with the pandemic ones – all set …

@ Sandra – yes strange coincidence … but I was happy to have a quick chat with him and catch up on their news … good time to read a book (or two – didn’t happen) …

@ Friko – I’m usually fine – but the fog descends occasionally. I’ve not worried about the ipad – as I use the desktop all the time … but hope you can get your ipad fixed or a new one bought.
Mine and my brother’s are both 12 weeks apart … so Saturday May 1st is our deadline … but that’s fine … by then we’ll be well on the way to vaccinating lots of people. Yes I continue to stay safe and away from others …
Weather – always interesting … but yes hurrah – it is getting warmer …

Thanks so much to you all – life goes on for us all – just stay safe and take care - Hilary

Jean Davis said...

Staying connected has become quite important these days. Nice that we can at least chat with people at a distance when we can't meet in person.

Hope your jab went well. Funny that your brother's appt was so close to yours. I suppose that allowed for a little personal connection at least. :)

Stay healthy!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Jean - jabbed up all went well and that quick catch up with my brother was a lovely change ... short and sweet though it was.
Staying connected is essential isn't it - can't do much without it ... we don't need all the bells and whistles, but just need that connection.
You too - stay healthy ... Hilary